Calendar

2024 BZC Calendar of Events

Weekly Schedule

Events in April 2024

  • Open Discussion

    Open Discussion


    Mon, Apr 1, 2024

    7:30 am: zazen
    8:00 am: open discussion

  • Drop-in Sitting and Study

    Drop-in Sitting and Study


    Wed, Apr 3, 2024

    The Wednesday Drop-in group is a weekly event, now in person, that goes from 7:10 to 9:00 PM. It includes a 30-minute period of Zazen meditation and a brief service in the zendo, followed by tea and refreshments and an hour of reading and discussion in the Community Room. The group particularly welcomes newcomers to Zen Buddhist practice and/or new to Berkeley Zen Center. It also provides an opportunity for practitioners to sit and study together on an ongoing basis. We meet every Wednesday except for the five-day Spring Practice Period sesshin(retreat) in June, the annual seven-day Buddha’s Enlightenment sesshin in December and during the two-week interim period during the December holidays. We also maintain a google group to share reading materials we are studying, announce other BZC events and issues related to logistics. The groups is facilitated by a BZC Priest, Ikushin Gerry Oliva. Gerry can be contacted at gryoliva@gmail.com for further information.

  • Class on the Heart Sutra taught by Karen Sundheim

    Class on the Heart Sutra taught by Karen Sundheim


    Thu, Apr 4, 2024

    Upcoming Class on the Heart Sutra taught by Karen Sundheim

    The Heart Sutra is the most chanted sutra in Mahayana Buddhist temples throughout the world. We chant it at BZC twice daily on weekdays, and on Saturday and Sesshins. Sojun often said all of Buddhism and zen is expressed in this Perfection of Wisdom in 25 lines. Karen Sundheim will be teaching a class to explore this important Mahayana text on Thursday evenings 7:15 - 8:45 pm March 14, 21, 28 and April 4. It will be offered in hybrid format.

    Please register by using this link so that you can receive any study materials: 

    https://forms.gle/yGrxtGLHU6dTboaf6

    Class fee is $40. Questions can be directed to the class coordinator, Ryushin Andrea andrea.thach@gmail.com.

     

  • Founders’ Ceremony

    Founders’ Ceremony


    Fri, Apr 5, 2024

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Charlotte Shoemaker

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Charlotte Shoemaker


    Fri, Apr 5, 2024

    BZC schedules a Way-Seeking Mind Talk on the First Friday afternoon of each month. The talk, followed by Q&A, begins at 5:45pm after five minutes of zazen and runs until 6:25pm. Please note, our First Friday afternoon WSM Talks are online only. The zendo is closed for in person Zazen on the First Friday of the month.

     

  • Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony

    Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony


    Sat, Apr 6, 2024

    On Saturday, April 6, 10:15‒11:15 a.m., BZC will join Buddhist centers around the world in celebrating the birth of the baby Buddha Page 4 March‒April 2024 BZC Newsletter (traditionally considered to have been in early April). Following a short service and an introductory talk by Hannah Meara in the zendo, we will proceed to the courtyard for a kid-friendly ceremony. After Hannah makes an initial offering of flowers and bathes the baby Buddha with sweet tea, we will chant the Heart Sutra and all adults and children will have a chance to use a ladle to bathe the baby Buddha. Children will also be offered small containers of bubble solution.

    We welcome children and others to come for work period at 7:35 a.m. to help decorate the bower in which the baby Buddha stands.

    Dharma Talk: Hannah Meara

    Dharma Talk: Hannah Meara


    Sat, Apr 6, 2024

    Saturday Morning Schedule

    • Temple cleaning:  7:35 – 8:10 (in person)
    • Zazen:                        8:30 – 9:10
    • Service:                      9:10 – 9:30
    • Kinhin:                       9:30  – 9:40
    • Zazen:                        9:40 – 10:05
    • Kinhin/break         10:05 – 10:15
    • Lecture:                   10:15 – 11:15
  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Joel Feigen

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Joel Feigen


    Mon, Apr 8, 2024

    There will be a student talk in the online zendo right after a shorter period of zazen:

    7:30 am: zazen
    8:00 am: way-seeking mind talk

    What is a "way-seeking mind" talk?  See below.

    Way-Seeking Mind at Berkeley Zen Center

    “Way-Seeking Mind” talks by practitioners at Berkeley Zen Center have been a regular event on Monday mornings for more than thirty years. Each of us came to Zen practice as a seeker, with a spirit of inquiry. Each of us arrives at BZC from our own diverse backgrounds—social, familial, educational, religious, and so on. The idea of our way-seeking mind talks is for students to share how it is that they came to practice. Each person tells his or her own story in a unique way that often blends autobiography, spiritual biography, and the practice questions that each of us is engaged with.

    The talks are by invitation, and last about twenty-five minutes, including time for presentation and short question & answer period. For newer students, this is a chance to meet and hear those we are sitting with. Those invited to talk have been sitting steadily at BZC; for them it is an opportunity to tell their story and be seen and heard. One of the teachers or senior students is available for advice in shaping one's talk, should that be useful.

  • Drop-in Sitting and Study

    Drop-in Sitting and Study


    Wed, Apr 10, 2024

    The Wednesday Drop-in group is a weekly event, now in person, that goes from 7:10 to 9:00 PM. It includes a 30-minute period of Zazen meditation and a brief service in the zendo, followed by tea and refreshments and an hour of reading and discussion in the Community Room. The group particularly welcomes newcomers to Zen Buddhist practice and/or new to Berkeley Zen Center. It also provides an opportunity for practitioners to sit and study together on an ongoing basis. We meet every Wednesday except for the five-day Spring Practice Period sesshin(retreat) in June, the annual seven-day Buddha’s Enlightenment sesshin in December and during the two-week interim period during the December holidays. We also maintain a google group to share reading materials we are studying, announce other BZC events and issues related to logistics. The groups is facilitated by a BZC Priest, Ikushin Gerry Oliva. Gerry can be contacted at gryoliva@gmail.com for further information.

  • Dharma Talk: Karen Sundheim

    Dharma Talk: Karen Sundheim


    Sat, Apr 13, 2024

    Saturday Morning Schedule

    • Temple cleaning:  7:35 – 8:10 (in person)
    • Zazen:                        8:30 – 9:10
    • Service:                      9:10 – 9:30
    • Kinhin:                       9:30  – 9:40
    • Zazen:                        9:40 – 10:05
    • Kinhin/break         10:05 – 10:15
    • Lecture:                   10:15 – 11:15
  • All-Sanga Meeting

    All-Sanga Meeting


    Sun, Apr 14, 2024

    Our next All-Sangha Discussion meetings will be Sunday April 14, and Sunday May 19, 7 – 8:15 p.m.  PDT.  These meetings will be on zoom.

  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Jonathan Koltz

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Jonathan Koltz


    Mon, Apr 15, 2024

    There will be a student talk in the online zendo right after a shorter period of zazen:

    7:30 am: zazen
    8:00 am: way-seeking mind talk

    What is a "way-seeking mind" talk?  See below.

    Way-Seeking Mind at Berkeley Zen Center

    “Way-Seeking Mind” talks by practitioners at Berkeley Zen Center have been a regular event on Monday mornings for more than thirty years. Each of us came to Zen practice as a seeker, with a spirit of inquiry. Each of us arrives at BZC from our own diverse backgrounds—social, familial, educational, religious, and so on. The idea of our way-seeking mind talks is for students to share how it is that they came to practice. Each person tells his or her own story in a unique way that often blends autobiography, spiritual biography, and the practice questions that each of us is engaged with.

    The talks are by invitation, and last about twenty-five minutes, including time for presentation and short question & answer period. For newer students, this is a chance to meet and hear those we are sitting with. Those invited to talk have been sitting steadily at BZC; for them it is an opportunity to tell their story and be seen and heard. One of the teachers or senior students is available for advice in shaping one's talk, should that be useful.

  • Drop-in Sitting and Study

    Drop-in Sitting and Study


    Wed, Apr 17, 2024

    The Wednesday Drop-in group is a weekly event, now in person, that goes from 7:10 to 9:00 PM. It includes a 30-minute period of Zazen meditation and a brief service in the zendo, followed by tea and refreshments and an hour of reading and discussion in the Community Room. The group particularly welcomes newcomers to Zen Buddhist practice and/or new to Berkeley Zen Center. It also provides an opportunity for practitioners to sit and study together on an ongoing basis. We meet every Wednesday except for the five-day Spring Practice Period sesshin(retreat) in June, the annual seven-day Buddha’s Enlightenment sesshin in December and during the two-week interim period during the December holidays. We also maintain a google group to share reading materials we are studying, announce other BZC events and issues related to logistics. The groups is facilitated by a BZC Priest, Ikushin Gerry Oliva. Gerry can be contacted at gryoliva@gmail.com for further information.

  • Bodhisattva Ceremony

    Bodhisattva Ceremony


    Sat, Apr 20, 2024

    Dharma Talk: Mary Mocine

    Dharma Talk: Mary Mocine


    Sat, Apr 20, 2024

    Saturday Morning Schedule

    • Temple cleaning:  7:35 – 8:10 (in person)
    • Zazen:                        8:30 – 9:10
    • Service:                      9:10 – 9:30
    • Kinhin:                       9:30  – 9:40
    • Zazen:                        9:40 – 10:05
    • Kinhin/break         10:05 – 10:15
    • Lecture:                   10:15 – 11:15
  • Beginners Sesshin

    Beginners Sesshin


    Sun, Apr 21, 2024

    Please join us for a special sitting that comes around only twice a year. This is an opportunity for new and old practitioners alike to become intimate with Beginner's Mind.

    The sesshin will be led by Mary Duryee and Ryushin Andrea Thach. The focus will be on the basics of Suzuki Roshi's practice: zazen, kinhin, and bowing. New students will receive clear explanations of our sometimes challenging forms, while more experienced students will have a chance to fine-tune their practice.

    The sesshin will run from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Sunday, April 21 and will be offered in person only.  Please plan to attend the entire day.  The rhythm of the day will be similar to our regular sesshins, with shorter periods of zazen and some on-the-spot instructions.  It will include a lecture, a short work period, and discussion.  Bring your own bag lunch (or you can purchase a lunch nearby).

    Proof of COVID vaccination, including at least one booster shot, is required to participate.

    The sesshin fee is $15 or whatever you can afford.  You can pay on the BZC website under the Sits/Classes tab on the Generosity page.  You can also pay by placing a check or cash in the laundry slot.  (Envelopes are available on the bulletin board.)  Or by mailing in a check to Berkeley Zen Center at:

    Berkeley Zen Center
    1931 Russell Street
    Berkeley, CA 94703
     

    Please note "Beginners Sesshin" on your envelope, check, or online payment.

    ***Sign up by April 17 by completing this form:    https://forms.gle/Z7mNVGgx7BjiBHWs7***

    For further information, please contact the Beginners Sesshin Director, Helen Cheng, at mankattan@yahoo.com.

    Board Meeting

    Board Meeting


    Sun, Apr 21, 2024

  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Clay Taylor

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Clay Taylor


    Mon, Apr 22, 2024

    There will be a student talk in the online zendo right after a shorter period of zazen:

    7:30 am: zazen
    8:00 am: way-seeking mind talk

    What is a "way-seeking mind" talk?  See below.

    Way-Seeking Mind at Berkeley Zen Center

    “Way-Seeking Mind” talks by practitioners at Berkeley Zen Center have been a regular event on Monday mornings for more than thirty years. Each of us came to Zen practice as a seeker, with a spirit of inquiry. Each of us arrives at BZC from our own diverse backgrounds—social, familial, educational, religious, and so on. The idea of our way-seeking mind talks is for students to share how it is that they came to practice. Each person tells his or her own story in a unique way that often blends autobiography, spiritual biography, and the practice questions that each of us is engaged with.

    The talks are by invitation, and last about twenty-five minutes, including time for presentation and short question & answer period. For newer students, this is a chance to meet and hear those we are sitting with. Those invited to talk have been sitting steadily at BZC; for them it is an opportunity to tell their story and be seen and heard. One of the teachers or senior students is available for advice in shaping one's talk, should that be useful.

  • Drop-in Sitting and Study

    Drop-in Sitting and Study


    Wed, Apr 24, 2024

    The Wednesday Drop-in group is a weekly event, now in person, that goes from 7:10 to 9:00 PM. It includes a 30-minute period of Zazen meditation and a brief service in the zendo, followed by tea and refreshments and an hour of reading and discussion in the Community Room. The group particularly welcomes newcomers to Zen Buddhist practice and/or new to Berkeley Zen Center. It also provides an opportunity for practitioners to sit and study together on an ongoing basis. We meet every Wednesday except for the five-day Spring Practice Period sesshin(retreat) in June, the annual seven-day Buddha’s Enlightenment sesshin in December and during the two-week interim period during the December holidays. We also maintain a google group to share reading materials we are studying, announce other BZC events and issues related to logistics. The groups is facilitated by a BZC Priest, Ikushin Gerry Oliva. Gerry can be contacted at gryoliva@gmail.com for further information.

  • Dharma Talk: Laurie Senauke

    Dharma Talk: Laurie Senauke


    Sat, Apr 27, 2024

    Saturday Morning Schedule

    • Temple cleaning:  7:35 – 8:10 (in person)
    • Zazen:                        8:30 – 9:10
    • Service:                      9:10 – 9:30
    • Kinhin:                       9:30  – 9:40
    • Zazen:                        9:40 – 10:05
    • Kinhin/break         10:05 – 10:15
    • Lecture:                   10:15 – 11:15
  • Way Seeking Mind Talk: Joe Buckner

    Way Seeking Mind Talk: Joe Buckner


    Mon, Apr 29, 2024

    There will be a student talk in the online zendo right after a shorter period of zazen:

    7:30 am: zazen
    8:00 am: way-seeking mind talk

    What is a "way-seeking mind" talk?  See below.

    Way-Seeking Mind at Berkeley Zen Center

    “Way-Seeking Mind” talks by practitioners at Berkeley Zen Center have been a regular event on Monday mornings for more than thirty years. Each of us came to Zen practice as a seeker, with a spirit of inquiry. Each of us arrives at BZC from our own diverse backgrounds—social, familial, educational, religious, and so on. The idea of our way-seeking mind talks is for students to share how it is that they came to practice. Each person tells his or her own story in a unique way that often blends autobiography, spiritual biography, and the practice questions that each of us is engaged with.

    The talks are by invitation, and last about twenty-five minutes, including time for presentation and short question & answer period. For newer students, this is a chance to meet and hear those we are sitting with. Those invited to talk have been sitting steadily at BZC; for them it is an opportunity to tell their story and be seen and heard. One of the teachers or senior students is available for advice in shaping one's talk, should that be useful.